Red Dead Redemption 2 Release Date delay could be for one INCREDIBLE Xbox and PS4 feature

Red Dead Redemption 2 Release Date delay could be for one INCREDIBLE Xbox and PS4 feature

Last month Rockstar Games confirmed that Red Dead Redemption was delayed with the release date pushed back from Holiday 2017 to "Spring 2018."

Rockstar initially said that the decision to delay the game was in order to "ensure we can deliver the best experience possible for our fans."

The developer further explained on its official website, writing:

"This outlaw epic set across the vast and unforgiving American heartland will be the first Rockstar game created from the ground up for the latest generation of console hardware, and some extra time is necessary to ensure that we can deliver the best experience possible for our fans."

"We are very sorry for any disappointment this delay causes, but we are firm believers in delivering a game only when it is ready. We are really excited to bring you more details about the game this summer."

There's now suggestions that part of the reasoning behind the delay, though likely not the only one, is so Rockstar can introduce cross-platform multiplayer for Xbox One and PS4 players.

"We’ve heard from multiple sources that Rockstar has recently been pursuing cross-platform multiplayer across Xbox One and Playstation 4 versions of Red Dead Redemption 2." first explained Comicbook.com.

"We first picked up word of this in May from a reputable inside source at Rockstar that has revealed correct information to us in the past regarding the timing of Red Dead 2 announcements."

Red Dead Redemption 2 Images released by Rockstar, with leaks from Trusted Reviews

Developed by the creators of GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America’s unforgiving heartland, the game's vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience. IMAGES ADDED: Leaks from Trusted Reviews.

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TRUSTED REVIEWS

RDR 2 leak, via Trusted Reviews

Though there's no hard evidence to corroborate the story, the suggestion that the game is working on cross play could end up being a fruitless endeavor.

Sony’s has more recently made their position very clear when it comes to cross-platform play, making it clear that the policy will unlikely ever come to the PlayStation 4, explaining their decision to Eurogamer for “commercial” factors.

The only place where crossplay looks to be on the up is between Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, as games such as Rocket League and Minecraft both having embraced the feature in the past few months.

Again, should Red Dead Redemption 2 eventually come to PC, there's likely an opportunity for cross-play between Xbox and PC players.

But, for the time being, any chance of crossplay involving the PS4 seems slim to none.

Back to Red Dead Redemption 2 and comments from CEO Strauss Zelnick earlier this year to investors explaining the delay during a Take-Two earnings call.

"The purpose of the delay of Red Dead Redemption 2 is to make sure we deliver the most extraordinary experience we're capable of providing," Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick said.

"We haven't run into particular [technical] issues [with development], and we are building Red Dead Redemption 2 as a new game from the ground up for the first time for the new generation of consoles."

The suggestion then is that this game will also run in 4K with HDR support to support PS4 Pro and Xbox Scorpio.

"The pressure that we put on ourselves to deliver excellence and delight consumers is extraordinary. So we want to make sure the appropriate time is taken to ensure we can do the best job we can," continued Zelnick.

"I think that's what consumers expect from Rockstar Games, and that's what Rockstar Games typically delivers."

"So we emphatically support the label's decision [to delay the game], and we're utterly confident that time will prove that decision to be wise first and foremost creatively and artistically and economically as well."

Red Dead Redemption 2 was revealed in October last year with a short teaser trailer and at the time Rockstar said that Red Dead Redemption 2 was "an epic tale of life in America’s unforgiving heartland."

But beyond this little to nothing in known about the game.

We do know, however, that there’s some sort of exclusivity deal in place with Sony that’ll grant PS4 players first access to some online content. Most likely linked to the games online offering which we expect to mirror GTA 5 Online.

In addition, we also know that Rockstar has hired Ethan Korver, a well-known voice actor with past work with Just Cause 3, Mafia 3, and Call of Duty Infinite Warfare.

Korver was listed on IMDB as having a role in Red Dead Redemption 2, but when asked if there was any truth to the listing, Korver replied on Twitter to say, “I’m actually a cowboy in the game but supposedly uncredited for it.

“I don’t know who gave me credit for the main cast on IMDB ... My character is a background character, not a main cast member.”

So far Korver is the only member of the cast listed on IMDB, but there's also been some information hinting at the game possibly coming to PC in the future.